At Cantoni, our selection of high-end, luxury furniture spans an impressive array of renowned brands, as well as styles for all rooms of the home, indoors and out. With so many options to choose from, we understand that it can sometimes be stressful finding a brand or product that will suit you and your home. We’re here to make your selection easy with everything you need to know to create a modern home that you can be proud of.
What is Luxury Furniture?
Furniture is created with comfort and functionality in mind, but a piece of luxury furniture goes a step beyond with its construction and appearance. Each piece is crafted with care and has usually been perfected through time and experience. Anyone can create a beautiful sofa design, but it takes real skill to transform that sofa into something that will be a part of your home, not just a fixture in it.
Materials also play an important role in elevating furniture from ordinary to extraordinary. Luxury furniture is typically crafted in sought-after materials that are more expensive to source, such as marble, metal, wood, ceramic, and leather. More often than not, preventative measures are also taken during the construction of such luxury pieces, like varnishes and lacquers that aim to promote longevity and easy care.
Some of our favorite luxury furniture brands at Cantoni are rooted in Italy. Cattelan Italia, Gamma Arredamenti, Malerba Collection, Bonaldo Spa, and Bontempi Casa all create, design, and construct in Italy, collaborating with well-known designers such as Paolo Cattelan, Gabriele Ghetti, Gino Carollo, Mauro Lipparini, Giuseppe Viganò, and Bernhardt & Vella.
Check out some of our favorite products at Cantoni:
This table comes in your choice of ceramic top and steel base. Its signature Cattelan Italia shape easily seats up to eight people. Designed by Renato Guerra.
Malerba’s Black & More Bed showcases supple leather and a glossy onyx frame. Malerba is sold exclusively in the U.S. at Cantoni.
Light grey leather, contrasting stitching, and a titanium leg – Gamma’s Smart Sectional is exactly that – smart. Designed by Gabriele Ghetti.
How to Select Luxury Furniture
While luxury furniture will undoubtedly elevate any space, there are a few key factors to consider before purchasing:
1. Materials
Arguably one of the most important things to consider before selecting your new luxury item is the materials that it is made out of. You want to make sure that whatever piece you choose will support how you live your life. For example, ceramic is a material that is durable and easy to clean, making it a smart option for households with children or high-traffic areas. Wood on the other hand, while mostly finished for maximum durability, is less likely to withstand the test of time, especially in heavily used areas.
2. Style
Many of the luxury brands that Cantoni carries offer items available in a collection. This is something to consider if you’re planning on furnishing many rooms or planning on a full-scale revamp, now or in the future. Malerba’s Perfect Time collection offers sophisticated pieces for the living room, dining room, and bedroom – allowing for the opportunity to create a cohesive space that can be carried throughout the room and even into other rooms as well.
3. Features
Think about the product you’re looking to purchase, where it will be placed, and what features you’re looking for. For example, are you looking for an entertainment unit for your living or TV room? Cattelan Italia’s Link Entertainment Cabinet hosts a wide range of features that will make entertaining all the easier – a reversible and adjustable frame, two closed drawers to shut away additional electronics, and ample open space to hold books, gaming devices, sound systems, and even decorative accessories.
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing, how can you style your new piece into your home and with your existing furniture? With a little forethought. Opt for furnishings that are the same color or complimentary to what you already have. The same goes for materials; similar materials used throughout the home will create cohesion and an overall look of completion.
For those looking to create a truly picturesque home, utilizing the same brand in various rooms also promotes a harmonious look and feel. While the products within a brand may vary in overall looks, they typically use an underlying “signature” detail or look to uphold the brand’s aesthetics.
Investing in Luxury Furniture
Choosing how you invest in your furniture can be a tough call. Oftentimes it’s hard to judge the quality and value of the furniture pieces you’re looking at. Take a look at these easy steps that will ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
1. Get to Know the Brand
Visit the brand’s website and learn about its history. How long have they been making furniture? Where is their product made? What is their construction process and are their products handmade? Do they use any sustainable practices? Some of these factors may not be important to everyone, but they will certainly help you get to know the brand a little better and understand the level of quality that they put into their product.
2. Research the Materials
If you’re unsure about the quality and durability of the product’s materials, do a little research! Learn more about the material itself, where it’s typically sourced, and how it fares as household furniture. Think about other aspects that might be important in the home: the longevity of that material, how to care for it, and whether it’s durable.
3. Compare Prices and Styles
Shop around one of our Cantoni stores or on our website and compare similar products, their price points, and their defining features. Two sectionals might be very similar in style, but one might be more expensive. Why is that so? Take a look at the materials used, the construction of the sectional, and whether or not it has any additional features. These factors might be the tipping point for opting for the higher-priced item.
Take for example…
The Matteo Sectional and Gamma’s Sunset 3 PC Sectional. Both are similar in shape and style, and both are made in Italy, but they come at different price points. Check out the features of each below.
• Right-hand facing loveseat
• Left-hand facing return
• Movable back
• Eco-friendly interior
• Right-hand facing sofa
• Left-hand facing chaise
• Removable headrests
• Includes lumbar pillow
Both are pretty similar, right? The one feature that sticks out is that the Sunset Sectional offers removable headrests, a fact that might be important to people who are looking for a more versatile option for their living space. In this case, it would be more prudent to invest the extra money in the Sunset Sectional for that added benefit.
How to Mix and Match Styles
Blending different luxury furniture styles in a single space may seem daunting but it’s much easier than it appears! If the styles differ, look at the color and shape of the product. Similar colors and shapes make it a breeze to blend varying pieces together, no matter their style. Take for example this Los Angeles project, pictured above. Cantoni designer Richard Bustos outfitted this living space with cool-toned elegance but in the back dining room space, warmth can be seen with a custom Eliot Wood Dining Table.
The best way to create balance and harmony within your space is with spatial awareness. For your home to look and feel luxurious, it’s important not to clutter your space. This allows for better movement throughout your space but also allows all of your furniture to have its own individual presence.
How to Create a High-End Living Space
In the end, your living space is your own and should be styled how you like, however here are a couple of tips on how to enhance your space with luxury furniture and decor, keeping it comfortable and stylish.
1. Don’t Over Blend
When furnishing your home, think about the materials that you’d like to use. Three or four material types are typically the golden standard when it comes to styling your home. You don’t want to overstimulate your space with a dizzying array of materials that will ultimately clutter your space.
2. Stylize with Your Favorite Pieces
When adding a luxury piece of furniture to your existing collection, it’s important to style it in a way that allows it to blend in, while also sticking out. Take some of your favorite furniture or decor pieces and style them together – that way your new luxury piece doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb but has the opportunity to shine!
How to Care for Your Luxury Furniture
Caring for your luxury furniture is not one size fits all. Certain materials should be cared for with certain techniques and it’s important to do your research before purchasing your new item. Always check your product’s care and cleaning information beforehand, but in general, cleaning certain materials can be as simple as:
• SOFT/REGULAR LEATHER – Use a soft, dry cloth to remove dust, which can often clog the pores when built up, not allowing for the natural perspiration of the leather. Avoid using brushes. In the event of a stain, use soapy water or a mild detergent, rinse, and wipe dry immediately with a soft cloth. Avoid alcohol, trichloroethylene, hard detergents, or abrasives.
• SYNTHETIC LEATHER – Requires no special care. In the case of a stain, wipe with a damp cloth using neutral-specific products. Do not use brushes, grease, petrol, or acetone, which can damage the surface.
• FABRIC – In the case of a stain, wipe with a damp cloth using neutral-specific products. Do not use brushes, grease, petrol, or acetone, which can damage the surface.
• PAINT, LACQUER & WOOD – For normal cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners, solvents, ammonia, or acetone. In the case of stains, remove them with mild soap and water.
• LAMINATE – To remove stubborn stains, use a damp cloth with water and liquid detergent.
• MARBLE & NATURAL STONE – Do not use harsh detergents that can dull the surface and affect water-oil repellent treatment.
• CERAMIC – Ceramic tops should be cleaned with a wet sponge and a mild detergent. Do not use abrasive cleaning products or a steam cleaner.
• GLASS – Avoid using abrasive materials that can damage the surface.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips and tricks will help you in your journey to creating a space that looks and feels as luxurious as the pieces you place in it. Some key takeaways to remember are that it’s always important to do your research before investing in a new piece of furniture, whether it’s considered a luxury or not. When purchasing your new piece of luxury furniture, keep in mind your current collection – your style, what materials your furniture is currently made of, and how your new piece will look with what you already have.
And ultimately, remember how to care for your new luxury item. This will not only keep your furniture looking pristine but will extend its life, providing you with a piece that will look brand new for years to come.
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To learn more about Cantoni, contact us at info-email@cantoni.com or call 325.244.2689 to connect to your nearest Cantoni store.